Remote control unit for activating and deactivating means for payment and for displaying payment status

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a remote control unit for intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems, comprising storage means, payment means, a sound control circuit, display means and a metal chassis wherein said remote control unit comprises a distant radio frequency transmitter that is associated with a radio frequency receiver connected to the sound control circuit of the audiovisual reproduction system.

This application claims priority to French Application No. 9809351 filedJul. 22, 1998, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

This application is a U.S. continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 09/357,764 filed on Jul. 21, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,277, theentire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a remote control unit for intelligentdigital audiovisual reproduction systems, also called jukeboxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Remote control systems are known in the prior art that use infraredtechnology to control a device. These systems comprise a transmitterlocated on the remote control unit and a receiver located on the device.The use of infrared rays requires the transmitter to be pointed towardsthe receiver on the device.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of theprior art by offering a remote control unit that is user-friendly andsecure.

This object is achieved by the fact that the remote control unit forintelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems, comprising storagemeans, payment means, a sound control circuit and display means, whereinthe remote control unit comprises a radio frequency transmitter that isassociated with a radio frequency receiver connected to the soundcontrol circuit of the audiovisual reproduction system.

According to another characteristic, the remote control unit has a codethat is stored by a learning procedure by the audiovisual reproductionsystem.

According to another characteristic, at least one audiovisualreproduction system receives a remote control code from the centralserver that is connected to the reproduction system.

According to another characteristic, a function of the remote control isto deactivate or activate the audiovisual reproduction system and themeans of payment.

According to another characteristic, disactivating the means of paymenttriggers an operator-programmed message to be displayed on theaudiovisual reproduction system display means.

According to another characteristic, a function of the remote controlenables the audiovisual reproduction system to be credited with a creditequivalent to the selection of at least one song; the maximum number ofcredits being stored on storage means of the reproduction system.

A second object of the invention is to offer a learning procedure of thecode of the remote control unit of the invention using an audiovisualreproduction system.

This object is achieved due to the fact that the learning procedurecomprises the following steps:

-   -   a step in which the audiovisual reproduction system is set to        the learning mode,    -   a step of using the remote control unit close to the audiovisual        reproduction system, in this operating mode the audiovisual        reproduction system waits for at least one remote control        identification code,        -   a step of storing the remote control identification code on            the storage means of the reproduction system.

According to another characteristic, the learning mode is included inthe operating system of the audiovisual reproduction system.

According to another characteristic, use of the remote control unitcauses it to transmit a signal containing an identification code that iscontained in the remote control memory.

According to another characteristic, the step of storing comprises therecognition of an identification code in a signal transmitted by theremote control unit.

Other advantages and advantages of the present invention will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description referring to theattached drawing.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an intelligent digital audiovisualreproduction system of the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The sole FIGURE shows the audiovisual reproduction system described ininternational patent application WO 96/12257. Preferably, but in anon-limitative way, this audiovisual reproduction system uses theequipment parts that are numbered and referred to below.

The central processing unit (1) is a system that is compatible with ahigh-performance PC. An intel pentium-type system that has storage meansand the following minimum characteristics should be used to implementthe invention:

-   -   compatibility with the local Vesa bus,    -   processor cache buffer: 256 Kbytes,    -   RAM: 32 Mbytes,    -   high-performance serial and parallel ports,    -   SVGA or similar microprocessor graphic adapter,    -   SCSI/2 or similar bus controller    -   self-powered static RAM.

Any similar CPU with equivalent or better performance characteristicsmay be used in the invention.

This CPU controls and manages a sound control circuit (5), atelecommunications control circuit (4), an input control circuit (3), amass storage control circuit (2) and a display means control circuit(6). The display means are mainly composed of a high definition, lowradiation, non-interleafed SVGA-type flat screen video monitor (62).This monitor is used to reproduce images, for example the album coversof musical selections, graphics or video-clips.

Storage modules (21) are also included as storage means using SCSI-typehigh-speed, high-capacity hard disks and are associated with the storagemeans already present in the CPU. These modules are used to storeaudiovisual information.

A high-speed (28.8 kbps) telecommunications modem (41) adapter is builtin to allow connection with an audiovisual information distributionnetwork controlled by a central server.

In order to reproduce the sound information of the musical selectionsthe system comprises loud speakers (54) that receive the signal from atuner-amplifier (53) connected to a music synthesizer-type electriccircuit (5). Said electric circuit is built to accommodate a largenumber of input sources while having an outlet that provides CD (compactdisc)-type quality, such as the sound-card type microprocessormultimedia audio adapter.

Using the input control circuit (3), the audiovisual reproduction systemcontrols a touch screen (33) that includes a panel covering the glassand that uses “advanced surface wave technology” as well as an AT-typebus controller. This touch screen enables various selection informationused by the customer to be displayed on the video monitor (62) or on atelevision screen (61). It also displays management control informationused by the manager or the owner of the system. It is also used formaintenance repairs in combination with an external keyboard (34) thatcan be connected to a system with a suitable keyboard connectorcontrolled by a keyed lock (32) via the interface circuit (3).

The interface circuit input (3) also controls a remote control assembly(31).

An audiovisual payment device (35) is also connected to the interfacesurface input (3). It is also possible to use any other device toreceive any method of payment by coins, notes, tokens, chip cards orcombinations of methods of payment.

The system is housed in the steel chassis or frame.

In addition to these parts, a cordless microphone (55) is connected tothe sound controller (5), which transforms said audiovisual reproductionsystem into a powerful announcement and information system intended forthe public or possibly for a karaoke machine. Similarly, the system canuse a cordless loud speaker system.

The remote controlled assembly (31) enables the manager, for examplefrom behind the bar, to access and operate various controls, such as:

-   -   the microphone on/off control,    -   the loud speaker muting control,    -   the volume control    -   the control for canceling music currently being played.

The operating system has been designed around a library of tools andservices that are particularly directed toward the audiovisual field ina multimedia environment. Advantageously, this library includes a highperformance multi-task operating system that effectively authorizes thesimultaneous implementation of multiple code fragments. Therefore, thisoperating system is used, in an organized way that avoids any conflict,for rival implementations, operations implemented on display means,sound reproduction means and for controlling telecommunicationconnections through a distribution network. Furthermore, this operatingsystem is extremely flexible.

The compressed and digitized audiovisual data is stored in storage means(21).

The library of tools and services comprises a first module, referred toas SSM, that is a start-up module for the system. This module onlyprovides a single service, consequently it is automatically charged whenthe system is powered-up. The system goes directly into the “in service”mode of the module referred to as RMM if the system is started up usinga correct recorded number.

The RMM module is the “in service” mode module, i.e. the operating modewhich the system enters as soon as the recorded number has beenvalidated. In this mode the system is ready to implement any requeststhat can be triggered by any of a number of predefined operations, suchas:

-   -   customers touching the screen: when a customer or user touches        the screen, the system transfers control of the foreground        session to the CBSM module that controls the customer selection        and exploration mode,    -   the telecommunications network call request server: when the        system detects a loop on the telephone line it transmits a        background asynchronous procedure: the TSM module telecom        service mode,    -   receiving a remote control signal: when an order is received it        is processed in a background session by the SMM system control        module. However, the foreground session remains available for        other operations.

The system remains in the “in service” mode until one of theabove-mentioned operations is implemented.

The SMM module is the system control module. The module is used toimplement operations that order the system to accept an input requestedby a remote control device, these operations being immediately processedwithout canceling the procedure currently being carried out. A verylarge number of such operations are possible, of which only a few,non-limitative operations are listed below:

-   -   volume adjustment of the selections played,    -   volume adjustment of the auxiliary source played,    -   microphone on/off control    -   adjustment of the microphone volume,    -   balance adjustment of left and right channels    -   control of the bass frequency level,    -   control of the treble frequency level,    -   control for canceling or skipping a musical selection track,    -   control for panoramic, zoom in and zoom out effects,    -   triggering of software program reset.

The TSM module is the telecommunications service mode module between thecentral server and the audiovisual reproduction system. This module isused to control all the control services available on the distributionnetwork. All the telecommunication tasks are controlled as backgroundtasks of the system. These tasks only ever use the processing time thatremains once the system has completed all the foreground tasks.Therefore, when the system is busy with a high-priority task, thetelecommunication tasks automatically reduce the demands on theresources of the system and use any processing time the microprocessorleaves available.

The remote control unit according to the invention constitutes theremote control assembly of the audiovisual reproduction system. Theremote control unit according to the invention is a remote control unitthat uses a radio frequency transmitter. The reproduction systemcomprises a radio frequency receiver that is advantageously located onthe sound control circuit (5). Advantageously, the remote control unitcomprises fastening means that connect it to a component, for examplethe bar, which is not necessarily directed towards the reproductionsystem. The use of radio frequencies does not require the transmitter tobe directed towards the receiver. Therefore, this characteristic avoidsany deterioration due to the operations involved in directing the remotecontrol unit toward the audiovisual reproduction system.

The remote control unit has a code in order for an audiovisual system tobe customized to a particular remote control. This code is in the formof an address constituted by a DIP switch. When the remote control unitis used the signal it transmits comprises a first data item thatcontains the code and a second data item that contains the code of thekey that has been used. The remote control identification code is storedby the audiovisual reproduction system when the remote control unit isfirst used, according to a special learning procedure. The procedurecomprises several steps.

-   -   In a first step the audiovisual reproduction system is set to        the learning mode. This learning mode consists in implementing a        sub routine of the library of tools and services of the        operating system of the reproduction system. This procedure is        triggered by lightly touching a special button that is displayed        on the screen by the display means. When the operating system is        in this mode it is ready to receive a remote control code to        allow the reproduction system to only react when the remote        control is actuated, following certain operations.        Advantageously, the remote control unit comprises a specific key        that triggers a signal being transmitted, said signal comprising        the code stored in the memory.    -   In a step of using the remote control unit the remote control        unit transmits the identification code in the signal when it is        used.    -   In a step of storing, the audiovisual reproduction system stores        the remote control identification code in its storage means. The        learning mode of the reproduction system enables it to recognize        and to store the code in the signal transmitted by the remote        control unit. At the end of this step the reproduction system        returns to the “in service” mode. Therefore, this special        learning mode eliminates the need to preprogram the remote        control code in the audiovisual reproduction system.        Furthermore, once the remote control code has been stored by a        reproduction system, every subsequent time the remote control is        used, the operating system verifies the identification code of        the remote control unit that has just transmitted a signal        containing the stored code. If the two codes, are identical the        function that corresponds to the code of the pressed key will be        implemented. If the two codes are not identical there will be no        response.

Advantageously, the remote control code is stored in an integratedcircuit (I button) that is only powered when an operation is implementedand that is capable of storing serial information in a nonvolatilememory.

Advantageously, a second code of a second remote control unit is storedby one audiovisual reproduction system. This second code can betransmitted to each audiovisual reproduction system using the centralserver and the distribution network to which the audiovisualreproduction system is connected via the telecommunication modem (41).

The remote control unit according to the invention enables certainactions to be implemented on the audiovisual reproduction system usingparticular keys and functions controlled by the SMM module. A firstfunction, that is effected using a remote control key, is to deactivatethe reproduction system and the payment means. Deactivating thereproduction system prevents any payment means, such as tokens, coins,notes, chip cards etc. from being inserted. Advantageously, theaudiovisual reproduction system display screen displays a message whilethe system is deactivated, for example, to inform the user that theaudiovisual reproduction system is not available. Advantageously, themessage can be operator-programmed by the hirer of the audiovisualreproduction system. The reproduction system and the payment means arealso brought back into service using either the same key or a differentkey on the remote control unit.

A second function of the remote control unit is to be able credit theaudiovisual reproduction system with a value equivalent to at least onesong. The number of songs is updated each time the second function isused and each time an operator modifies the value of said number. Thissecond function enables, for example, the manager of a bar in which theaudiovisual reproduction system is installed to provide his customerswith at least one selection without him having to go to the reproductionsystem and without having to carry out complicated operations.

The remote control unit according to the invention may be seen to bemore user-friendly as it is not necessary for it to be pointed towardsthe audiovisual reproduction system. Furthermore, it is possible for itto be fastened, for example to the bar, thereby avoiding the remotecontrol unit becoming lost or broken. The code learning mode avoids aremote control unit having to be associated with a reproduction systemduring manufacture in a plant. This simplifies stock management. Theadditional remote control unit functions also simplify use of theaudiovisual reproduction system.

Other modifications available to those skilled in the art can clearly beincluded in the invention.

1. A jukebox system, comprising: at least one jukebox device, whereinsaid at least one jukebox device includes a microprocessor, a storagedevice for storing audiovisual information that can be reproduced by thejukebox device in response to user requests, an audio system for playingaudio, a display device for displaying video, and a communication systemfor enabling the jukebox to communicate through an audiovisualdistribution network; a server remote to said at least one jukeboxdevice that provides services to said at least one jukebox device,wherein said server and each said jukebox device are configured tocommunicate with each other through said distribution network; and atleast one remote control device for each said jukebox device, whereineach said remote control device comprises: a remote transmitter that isassociated with a receiver connected to a control circuit of oneassociated jukebox device, and wherein the remote control is operable toactivate and deactivate the associated jukebox device and the remotecontrol is operable to activate and deactivate a payment device on theassociated jukebox device, wherein the jukebox device display furtherdisplays a message when said payment device is deactivated.
 2. Thejukebox system of claim 1, wherein the message is programmable by anoperator of the jukebox device.
 3. The jukebox system of claim 2,wherein the operator of the device is a person owning or renting thejukebox device and operating it for use by users.
 4. The jukebox systemof claim 1, wherein the message indicates a status of the jukeboxdevice.
 5. The jukebox system of claim 4, wherein the message indicatesthat usage of the jukebox device is not currently available.